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Discover the Book - Jan, 4, 2010

2010Jan 04

COMMENTS

Justified: God Changed My State

As we open to Romans 5:1-11 we see the doorway to all God did for sinners through the cross, the wonders of justification.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we havepeace with Godthrough our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we haveaccess by faithinto this grace in which we stand, and rejoicein hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing thattribulation producesperseverance; 4 and perseverance,character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, becausethe love of Godhas been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood,we shall be saved from wraththrough Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation."

Think of that day when we experience what I like to call the greatest day of our life: the day we finally see Jesus face to face. That will be the day we each get to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ—and kneel in front of the One who loved us so much that He came and took our sins upon Himself, died in our place on the Cross, and freely gave us His forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation.

Just think of what a moment that will be! An instant after our last breath, to be taken by the hand of Jesus, as He leads us past the marshaled ranks of the angels, along the golden boulevards of glory, up past the cherubim and the seraphim, up, up to the throne of God Himself; and then to hear the Lord Jesus call you by your name and present you in person as His well beloved!

Then to hear the Father say, "Bring the best robe and put it on him." Just think of it, a robe of white, bright as the day, pure as the light! When the Lord Jesus was transfigured on the mount, something happened not only to His countenance, something happened also to His clothes. His raiment became white as the light.

What a reward for faithfulness, to have a robe like that draped around the shoulders and to be invited to walk the shining ways of glory in light transfigured clothes.

The greatest, richest, most powerful of all of history on this planet were not arrayed like one of these. Just think of that!

If we really think about that moment long enough, we realize that all that matters is one thing—what happens at that moment when we stand before Jesus Christ.